Peripheral neuropathy - For Information Purposes Only

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Peripheral neuropathy develops when nerves in the body's extremities – such as the hands, feet and arms – are damaged. The symptoms depends on which nerves are affected.

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In the UK, it's estimated that almost 1 in 10 people aged 55 or over are affected by some degree of peripheral neuropathy.

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The peripheral nervous system

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The peripheral nervous system is the network of nerves that lie outside the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).

It includes different types of nerves with their own specific functions, including:

sensory nerves – responsible for transmitting sensations, such as pain and touch

motor nerves – responsible for controlling muscles

autonomic nerves – responsible for regulating automatic functions of the body, such as blood pressure and bladder function

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Copyright:

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Information from NHS Choices, available online at

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Peripheral-neuropathy/Pages/Introduction.aspx (accessed 18/2/2017)

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I do not treat this condition.  This is for information purposes only.